How do I protect my camera from sand in the desert?

Sand is the primary risk. Use a ziplock bag or waterproof pouch when not actively shooting. Keep lens changes to a minimum and do them inside a tent or with your back to the wind. A UV filter on your lens acts as a sacrificial glass shield. Phone cameras are easier to manage — keep them in a sealed case when not in use. Avoid changing batteries or memory cards on the dune tops where wind is strongest.

What medications should I bring on a Morocco desert tour?

Pack standard travel health items: antidiarrheal tablets, antihistamines, electrolyte sachets (essential for hot months), SPF50 lip balm, blister plasters, and your regular prescriptions. A basic first-aid kit is useful. Pharmacies in Erfoud and Ouarzazate stock most medications, but supplies for specific conditions or brands may be limited.

Morocco · Desert tours9 min readMay 23, 2026

Morocco Desert Tour Packing List: what to bring and skip.

Q: What shoes are best for a Morocco desert tour?

Closed trainers or trail shoes are the most practical. They keep sand out during the camel trek and hike onto dunes, provide grip on loose sand, and work for the rest of the trip. Avoid flip-flops — they fill with sand immediately and provide no ankle support on steep dune slopes. Sandals are fine for camp evenings only.

Q: Do I need a sleeping bag for a Morocco desert tour?

Most standard and mid-range camps provide blankets. Luxury camps typically provide duvets. However, the quality varies and desert nights genuinely get cold — sometimes 3–8°C in winter. A lightweight sleeping bag liner adds significant warmth and packs small. In summer, blankets alone are usually sufficient. Confirm with your camp what bedding is provided.

Q: Should I bring cash to a Morocco desert tour?

Yes. There are no ATMs at desert camps. Bring 300–600 MAD (€30–60) per person in cash for tips, activities not included in your tour (sandboarding, quad biking), and any drinks not covered by the camp. ATMs are available in Erfoud (20km from Merzouga), Ouarzazate, and Tinghir — withdraw before reaching the desert.

The Morocco desert presents two conditions in the same 24-hour period: 40°C at 2pm and 5°C at 3am. Most travelers who pack badly get the night wrong — they bring sun gear and nothing warm. This guide covers what every guide tells their guests before the trip and what they wish people had brought.

Travilto Editorial

Reviewed by the local-guide network · 47 licensed guides

Quad bike on Sahara sand dunes at sunset, Merzouga Morocco

The 10 essentials

1Warm fleece or down jacket

2Lightweight long-sleeve shirts

3Closed trainers (not flip-flops)

4SPF 50+ sunscreen

5UV400 sunglasses

6Wide-brim hat or headscarf

7Reusable 2L water bottle

8Headlamp / torch

9Dustproof bag for electronics

10Cash in dirhams (no ATMs at camp)

The full essentials list

Every item below includes the reason it matters — because "bring sunscreen" without context is useless.

Warm fleece or down jacket

Desert nights drop 20°C after sunset. You'll need this at camp even in spring and autumn.

✓

Lightweight long-sleeve shirts (×2–3)

Sun protection during the day — lightweight synthetics or merino wool work best.

✓

UV-protective trousers or leggings

Loose-fit protects from sun and acts as a wind layer on the dune tops.

✓

Closed trainers or trail shoes

Keeps sand out during camel trek and dune climbing. Not flip-flops.

✓

SPF 50+ sunscreen

Desert UV at altitude is intense. Reapply every 2 hours. Bring more than you think you need.

✓

Sunglasses with UV400 protection

Sand glare can cause eye strain within hours. Wrap-around frames stop sand from the sides.

✓

Wide-brim hat or headscarf

Sun and wind protection. A Berber-style tagelmust (available in Merzouga) also protects against sand in your face during windy conditions.

✓

Reusable water bottle (2L)

Camps provide water, but having your own bottle for the camel trek is essential.

✓

Headlamp or compact torch

Camp lighting is minimal. Navigating between tents at midnight in true desert darkness needs a light.

✓

Dustproof bag or large ziplock

Fine desert sand gets everywhere. Keep phone, camera, and passport inside one at all times.

✓

Clothing by temperature

The desert temperature swings of 25–30°C across a single day are the most common source of under-packing. Travelers who arrive expecting heat leave shivering at midnight.

Daytime (25–40°C)

Breathable synthetic or merino long-sleeve top
Light cotton or UV-protective trousers
Wide-brim sun hat
Sunglasses
Closed trainers
SPF 50+ on all exposed skin

Evening / camp (15–25°C)

Mid-layer (fleece shirt or light hoodie)
Long trousers
Light jacket or gilet
Closed shoes (sand gets cold)

Midnight / deep night (3–15°C)

Warm fleece or down jacket
Warm socks
Long thermal base layer if visiting October–March
Sleeping bag liner or blanket top-up

The single most underrated item: A good fleece or lightweight down jacket. Travelers consistently mention this as the item they were most glad to have (or most regret not packing). The desert night at 3am is not a little chilly — it is genuinely cold. One good layer changes the entire experience.

Photography in the desert

Fine sand is the main risk to camera equipment. It penetrates through every gap — lens mounts, buttons, charging ports.

→ Use a ziplock or dry bag

Keep your camera and phone in a sealed bag when not actively shooting. Fine desert sand is harder to remove than beach sand — it's lighter and gets into smaller gaps.

→ Minimal lens changes

Don't switch lenses on dune tops where wind is strongest. Do it inside a tent or low in the dune valley. Each lens change is an invitation for sand to enter the camera body.

→ UV filter as sacrificial glass

A UV filter on your lens protects the front element from sand abrasion. Replace the filter after the trip if needed — not the lens.

→ Sunrise timing

The camel trek to your dune camp typically ends before sunset. For sunrise, set an alarm for 5–5:30am and walk out of camp toward the east-facing dune slope. The 20-minute window as the sun clears the horizon is exceptional.

→ Phone cameras work well

Modern phone cameras handle desert conditions better than DSLRs in some ways — no lens to change, smaller form factor. Keep it in a sealed case and use burst mode for camel shots.

→ Tripod for night photography

If astrophotography is a goal, bring a lightweight travel tripod. Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco's darkest locations — Milky Way shots are feasible on a clear night with no moon.

Health, toiletries, and documents

Health & medication

Antidiarrheal tablets
Imodium — useful for dietary transitions
Antihistamines
Dust and pollen levels are high in summer
Electrolyte sachets
Critical in hot months. Dehydration sets in faster than expected.
SPF 50+ lip balm
Lips crack fast in dry desert air
Blister plasters
For dune climbs in new shoes
Regular prescriptions ×2
Bring double in case of delays

Documents & money

Passport + copy
Some camps require registration
Cash (dirhams)
400–700 MAD / person for tips and extras
Tour confirmation
Print or offline screenshot — no signal at camp
Travel insurance card
Hospital in Ouarzazate or Errachidia is closest
Offline maps
Download Google Maps or Maps.me for the route before leaving

What to leave at home

Space in the camp tent is limited and excess luggage stays in the vehicle. These are the things guides consistently ask travelers not to bring:

Large suitcases or rigid luggage

A 4x4 desert vehicle doesn't have suitcase-friendly storage, and camp tent space is minimal. Pack what you need for the desert portion in a small daypack or soft duffel (40L max). Leave the main suitcase at your Marrakech riad.

Expensive jewelry or watches

Desert activities — camel treks, dune climbing, quad biking — are rough on accessories. Sand gets into everything. Leave items you'd be upset to lose or damage.

Multiple pairs of shoes

One pair of closed trainers handles everything: camel trek, dune climbing, camp evenings. One pair of light sandals for evenings if you want the choice. More than two pairs of shoes for a 1–2 night desert stay is unnecessary weight.

Heavy camera bags

Large camera backpacks fill with sand on the camel trek and are awkward on dune slopes. Transfer only the body and one lens into a small, closeable bag for the trek itself.

More than 2 days of clothing

Most desert tours are 1–2 nights. You need one set of clothes for each day, a warm layer, and sleeping clothes. Overpacking clothing for this leg is unnecessary.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear for a Morocco desert tour?+

Layer for two extremes: daytime can hit 30–40°C, desert nights drop to 5–15°C. Day layers: lightweight breathable long-sleeve shirts, UV-protective trousers, sunhat, sunglasses. Night layers: warm fleece or down jacket, long trousers, warm socks. The temperature shift is more dramatic than most travelers expect.

What shoes are best for a Morocco desert tour?+

Closed trainers or trail shoes. They keep sand out during the camel trek and provide grip on loose sand. Avoid flip-flops — they fill with sand immediately and provide no ankle support on steep dune slopes. Sandals are fine for camp evenings only.

Do I need a sleeping bag for a Morocco desert tour?+

Most standard camps provide blankets. Luxury camps provide duvets. However quality varies — desert nights can reach 3–8°C in winter. A lightweight sleeping bag liner adds significant warmth and packs small. In summer, blankets alone are usually sufficient.

Should I bring cash to a Morocco desert tour?+

Yes. There are no ATMs at desert camps. Bring 400–700 MAD (€40–70) per person for tips, activities, and extras. ATMs are available in Erfoud (20km from Merzouga), Ouarzazate, and Tinghir — withdraw before reaching the desert.

How do I protect my camera from sand?+

Keep it in a ziplock or waterproof pouch when not shooting. Minimize lens changes — do them inside a tent, with your back to the wind. A UV filter protects the front element. Keep charging ports sealed with tape.

What medications should I bring?+

Antidiarrheal tablets, antihistamines, electrolyte sachets (essential in hot months), SPF50 lip balm, blister plasters, and your regular prescriptions. Pharmacies in Erfoud and Ouarzazate stock most common medications.

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